Apocalypse Days: I Rule with Foresight and a Powerful Son
Chapter 71:

Chapter 71: 71:

Winter’s grip on his rifle tightened as the faint noise they’d heard earlier grew louder, more distinct. The noise sounded strange, mechanical yet muffled, even as it drew closer. Leo whimpered softly in her arms, his fevered body shifting against hers.

What the hell is that? Winter thought with a frown. A car? No way. No cars were working anymore and that didnt sound like one either.

The noise suddenly stopped.

Zara and Winter froze, their breaths held. The silence was deafening, and the darkness seemed almost alive. Now they could hear what sounded like footsteps.

Winter slowly shifted his weight, his rifle poised as his sharp eyes scanned the area. Zara’s heart pounded, her instincts urging her to run, but there was nowhere to go. The footsteps were too close now, their owners just out of sight. Turning their backs would be suicide.

Then they heard it—soft footsteps breaking the stillness. These weren’t the clumsy, aimless shuffles of the infected. This was someone—or several someone—moving through the dark.

Winter shifted to stand in front of Zara and Leo, his broad frame a shield as his rifle aimed toward the noise.

"Stay behind me," Winter murmured, "be prepared to run at my signal."

Zara nodded, clutching Leo close, her pulse hammering in her ears.

Out of the shadows emerged three figures. The first was an older man, his weathered face lined with years of hardship but his eyes sharp and calculating.

Beside him stood a young man barely out of his teens, wiry but alert, his hands stuffed in his pockets. Beside him stood a young man barely out of his teens, wiry but alert, his hands stuffed in his pockets. The last figure was a man in his late twenties.

Winter didn’t lower his rifle. "Stop right there," he commanded, his voice steely.

The trio halted. The older man raised his hands slowly, a gesture of peace. "We don’t mean any harm," he said, calm and measured. "We’re just passing through."

The young man’s gaze flicked to Leo, her brow furrowing. "Is he okay?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Zara stiffened, her grip on Leo tightening as she instinctively stepped back. Winter’s rifle shifted slightly, his aim steady. "We don’t need your help. Keep moving."

The older man raised his hands slowly, palms out. "Easy there, son. We’re not here to fight."

"Then leave," Winter snapped.

Zara said nothing, her instincts screaming not to trust anyone. She had been betrayed too many times to let her guard down now.

But her silence didn’t stop the doctor from stepping forward slightly, his hands raised placatingly.

Winter moved to block his path entirely. "Don’t take another step," he warned, his rifle steady.

The doctor hesitated, looking between Zara and Winter. "I understand you’re scared," he said evenly, "but that boy looks like he’s in trouble. If you don’t let me check on him, he might not make it."

"Back off," Winter growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Too many times, offers of help had been traps. Too many times, humans had proven more dangerous than the infected.

Winter noticed her unease, his stance shifting subtly as he placed himself more squarely between Zara and the newcomers. His voice was a growl. "I said we’re fine. Leave."

The teenager huffed, glancing at the older man. "Told you they wouldn’t listen, Gramps. People don’t trust anyone anymore."

"Can you blame them?" the older man replied, his voice tinged with sadness. He turned back to Winter.

"Look," the older man interjected, his tone patient but firm. "We get it. You’ve got every reason not to trust strangers. But being stubborn won’t help your kid. Let the doctor take a look. He’s good at what he does."

Zara felt a mix of frustration and helplessness. She wanted to scream at them to leave, to stop pushing, but Leo’s laboured breathing and flushed cheeks were undeniable.

The doctor reached into his bag slowly, holding it out for them to see. "I’ve got supplies," he said. "Fever reducers, antibiotics, saline. Let me help."

Winter’s eyes narrowed, his grip on the rifle tightening. Zara could feel his unease radiating off him, mirroring her own. She glanced down at Leo, whose soft whines tugged at her.

"Winter," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Winter turned his head slightly, their eyes meeting. She didn’t say anything else, but the silent plea was enough.

"Fine," Winter said finally, his voice cold. He shifted slightly to allow the doctor a closer look but kept his rifle trained on the group. "Try anything, and it’s over."

The doctor nodded and approached cautiously, kneeling beside Zara. "May I?" he asked, gesturing to Leo.

"I’m going to check his vitals," he said gently, opening his bag. He pulled out a stethoscope and thermometer, gesturing for Zara to lay Leo down. Zara hesitated, then carefully placed Leo on the jacket they’d used earlier.

The doctor worked slowly, his hands steady as he listened to Leo’s chest, and checked his pulse. He pulled a small flashlight from his bag and checked Leo’s pupils, then took out a thermometer and placed it under the boy’s arm. Zara watched every move closely, her body tense, ready to intervene if necessary.

After a moment, the doctor sat back slightly, digging through his bag. "He’s severely dehydrated and hasn’t been eating enough," he said. "The fever’s his body’s way of coping, but it’s not too late to stabilize him."

From his bag, the doctor retrieved a small bottle of what looked like an electrolyte solution. "He’s also malnourished, which isn’t helping his recovery."

The doctor filled a small cup with the solution and held it to Leo’s lips. "Drink this, kiddo," he said softly. Leo stirred, his eyelids fluttering open just enough to accept the liquid. Zara watched every movement, her throat tight with emotion.

"He’ll need more of this over the next few days," the doctor said, handing the bottle to Zara. "Small doses, every few hours. And don’t toss the bottle when it’s empty. It’s going to be very useful in the coming days."

Zara nodded stiffly, her fingers brushing against the bottle as she took it. "Thank you," she murmured.

The doctor leaned back, his eyes scanning her face. "You’re welcome. But you should know, he’s not out of the woods yet. Keep him warm, keep him fed, and keep moving. Staying in one place too long isn’t safe."

Winter’s rifle remained trained, aimed loosely at the group as the doctor rose and rejoined his companions. The older man sighed, his gaze lingering on Zara and Leo. "Where are you headed?" he asked.

"None of your business," Winter snapped.

The older man raised an eyebrow but didn’t push. "Fair enough. We’re heading to City H. There’s supposed to be a base there. Safety, supplies, and maybe even some answers. If you’re going the same way, we could travel together. Strength in numbers."

Zara’s lips tightened, and Winter shook his head. "We don’t need you. Thanks for the help, but it’s time for you to go."

The boy, who had remained silent until now, raised an eyebrow. "The highway only leads to City H," he said matter-of-factly. "Kind of obvious where you’re going."

Winter ignored her and turned to Zara. "Pack up," he said quietly.

The teenager scoffed. "You’re going the same way, aren’t you? Makes sense to team up."

"Does it?" Winter’s voice was ice. "We don’t need anyone else slowing us down."

The older man shrugged. "Suit yourself. But think about it. Just the two of you and a sick kid? You’re not going to get much rest. And exhaustion is just as dangerous as any infected out here."

Winter’s rifle rose slightly, his message clear.

The older man raised his hands again, his expression calm. "Alright, alright. No need to get jumpy. Just... be smart. It would be a shame if something were to happen to you on the way. We’ll continue on to city H."

Zara’s heart skipped a beat, but her face remained impassive. Winter gave a curt nod. "Good luck with that."

The doctor sighed, shouldering his bag. "It’s not ideal to leave you all like this. But if we’re meant to cross paths again, we will. Good luck out there."

The trio turned and began walking down the highway, their figures disappearing into the growing light. Winter didn’t lower his rifle until the sound of their footsteps faded entirely. Only then did he glance at Zara.

"He’s sleeping," she said quietly, brushing a hand over Leo’s forehead. "And cooler."

Winter’s posture relaxed slightly, and he knelt beside her. "We can’t stay here. They know this spot."

Zara wanted to argue, to tell him he needed rest too, but she knew he was right. She carefully picked up Leo, cradling him in her arms as Winter gathered their bags.

As the first rays of dawn broke over the horizon, they set off down the highway, the world around them bathed in an eerie, crimson light.